10 of the Best Summer Ingredients to help you keep you Cool

Beat the heat this summer by serving 10 of the best summer ingredients with cooling properties. These fresh vegetables are all at their best during the summer months, so add them to salads and stir-fries for a refreshing feast. Plus, we’ve tapped into the wisdom of Chinese medicine to share proteins, fruits and drinks that are also known for cooling the body.

Celery

Celery is another vegetable that has a whopping water content, at 95%. Snack on celery sticks between meals, or toss sliced celery through this Vietnamese rice vermicelli salad.

Eggplant

There’s a reason eggplant is eaten across Asia and the sun-kissed countries of southern Europe – it’s brimming with cooling properties. Serve it simply chargrilled with a drizzle of sesame oil and a sprinkle of spring onions, or try this Japanese recipe for wasabi miso eggplant.

Leafy Asian greens

Now’s the time to add leafy Asian greens to everything! Thinly sliced raw bok choy and wombok cabbage add texture to spicy Asian coleslaws and salads, or choose peppery Asian leaves such as mizuna to toss through this teriyaki swordfish salad.

Lettuce

Seaweed

It should come as no surprise that something that grows in water would be utterly refreshing. Seaweed makes our top 10 of cooling ingredients, thanks to its water content and ‘yin’ qualities. To beat the heat, whip up this tofu and wakame udon dish.

Tomato

Like eggplants, tomatoes are devoured in warm countries across the globe. They’re a no-brainer for summer salads, but for a seriously chilled supper, why not try this tangy cold soba noodle salad?

Water chestnut

When it has water in the name, you know you’re onto a winner! We love adding water chestnuts to dumplings, san choy bau and these beef patties with sweet and sour sauce – believe it or not, chilli helps to cool the body too.